Friday morning, October 28, 2011, residents might be awakened by the sounds of snowplows (minus the snow) traveling through their neighborhoods and they may think Prince George’s County has been hit with an early winter storm! However, folks will be happy to learn that the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is really only conducting its Annual Countywide Snow and Ice Control Dry Run, which begins at 4:00 AM, Friday morning, October 28th. .

Earlier this week, Capital Bikeshare announced several changes to its membership offerings, revised the cost of its 24-hour membership and introduced a new pricing structure for casual members.

Starting November 3, 2011, Capital Bikeshare will offer a 3-day pass for $15. The current 5-day pass will be discontinued. The change better aligns with the average stay of visitors to the metro region.

There will be free cab rides offered in th Washington-metro area this Halloween in order to thwart drunk-driving. The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is the D.C. area charity that is coordinating the SoberRide program. Nearly half (48%) of all Halloween traffic deaths in the United States are caused by drunk drivers, so WRAP aims to deter drunk driving.

Here's how it works from WRAP:

WRAP's 2011 Halloween SoberRide program will be offered from 10:00 pm, Saturday, October 29 until 6:00 am, Sunday, October 30, 2011. To receive a free cab ride home (up to a $30.00 fare), please call 800-200-8294 (TAXI) or #8294 (TAXI) on your AT&T wireless phone. Please refer to the SoberRide information listed below for important details concerning this program. You must be 21 or older to use the SoberRide service

Prince George’s County Government has closed the County Administration Building (CAB) and the County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro today due to flooding in Upper Marlboro. Please note, the Prince George’s County Government is still open today, just not the CAB and Courthouse in Upper Marlboro. All County employees who do not work in the CAB and Courthouse in Upper Marlboro should report today. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will open on time this morning.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US 50/301) has reopened and is operating under PHASE II WIND RESTRICTIONS due to sustained winds of 42-45 mph and wind gusts of 53 mph.

House trailers, empty box trailers, campers, recreational vehicles, hitch trailers with sides or any vehicle that may not safely cross the bridge are prohibited from traveling the bridge.

If sustained winds exceed 50 mph, only automobiles, pickups trucks, flatbed trailers, commercial busses and heavy laden tractor trailers will be permitted to cross the bridge. Tractor-box trailers weighing less than 64,000 pounds will not be permitted to cross.